ALBANY -- Today, State Senator Daniel Squadron welcomed the Governor’s signing of a domestic violence omnibus bill, including an "aggravated family offense" provision based on the legislation he introduced last year. The Squadron legislation was dedicated to fallen NYPD Officer Alain Schaberger, who was killed in March 2011 responding to a domestic violence call in Boerum Hill in Squadron's district, by an abuser with a 12-year history of offenses.

Previously, only those who caused serious physical injury or killed their victims faced felony-level charges. There was no way to better protect domestic violence victims from repeat offenders, who were charged with low-level misdemeanors. Now, two domestic violence offenses in five years will count as a Class E felony crime, helping to protect victims and ensure that repeat offenders no longer cycle through the system.

Senator Squadron released the following statement:

"Today marks a major step toward providing victims and families with the protections, dignity, and support they deserve. I'm particularly proud that this bill includes the aggravated family offense provision that I introduced and for which we've long fought.

"Now, domestic violence abusers will no longer be able rack up offenses without any promise of protection for their victims. The aggravated family offense provision – which makes two offenses in five years a felony -- will go a long way toward providing law enforcement with the tools they need to protect victims and families.

"As we continue to fight the scourge of domestic violence, this new law is a powerful way to honor the memory of Officer Alain Schaberger, who was murdered by a serial offender, and the countless others harmed by domestic violence and its terrible ripple effects.

"Thank you to Governor Cuomo for his leadership in making this critical legislation a reality, and to Senator Golden, Assemblymembers Rosenthal and Lentol, and District Attorney Vance for partnering with me on our aggravated family offense provision.

"Now, our work continues to implement this vital legislation and protect domestic violence victims and their families around New York."